Band of Builders Completes Life-Changing Project for Retired Builder

Construction charity Band of Builders has completed a life-changing project for retired builder Mike Shrimpton and his family after a cancer diagnosis halted work on their home renovation.

The project involved knocking through some of the ground-floor rooms of Mike’s home in Bishop Stortford, Hertfordshire, to create a larger open-plan space before adding insulation and fitting out. This was helped by construction products distributor, Okarno, which donated products including plasterboard, Fireline board, Gyproc FibaTape Xtreme joint tape, and Thistle gypsum-based plasters.

Additional works involved the installation of structural steelwork, completing the first and second fixes on the plumbing and electrics, and installing a new boiler and heating system.

A new top-of-the-range kitchen was also donated and installed by kitchen fitter Tom Easter. Externally, the failing flat roof and skylight were replaced, and new patio doors and remedial work were carried out at the rear of the house.

Life-Changing Project

Mike had initially been carrying out the work himself before work halted when he was diagnosed with stage four prostate cancer and a serious heart condition. As a result of the work stopping, Mike and his wife had been living in a caravan for the past couple of years.

In addition, following a series of medical episodes, it was recognised that Mike’s wife Christine had dementia. Her medical team said that if she couldn’t move back into a safe home environment very soon, they ran the risk of her going into residential care.

Mike was overcome with emotion at his first glimpse of the renovations completed by Band of Builders’ volunteer tradespeople.

Speaking to the volunteers about the renovation, Mike said: “The hardest thing for me was to admit that I couldn’t do it, and I can’t believe that the people came here to solve someone else’s problem … well, I just can’t find the words to say thank you.”

A Helping Hand

Joint-Project Leads Kent Taylor and Tracey Healy both took three weeks away from their own businesses to oversee the delivery and completion of this project.

Kent said: “Every project we do, we rise to the challenge and complete projects because of our amazing volunteers, who give their heart and soul to complete projects that are life-changing for the beneficiaries. Mike and Christine no longer have to live in a caravan as they now have a space that they can enjoy and call home.”

Stacey Booth, Head of Marketing & Portfolio at Okarno, said: “When we learned about Mike and Christine’s situation, we were eager to get involved. This project has been incredibly rewarding, and we are proud to be part of something that has truly made a difference for their family, improving their lives for the future. It demonstrates what can be achieved when we all come together to lend a helping hand to those in need.”

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